Chapter 12
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Translator: MJK
Chapter: 012
Chapter Title: From Today, Your Name Is
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Three.
It was the number of Yohan Grass the wolf had brought him.
'Including the one I found yesterday, that makes four.'
An experienced herbalist like Dario would struggle to harvest even one in a year, yet Andy had gathered four in just a day and a half.
He couldn't help but feel excited.
'I wonder how much mana I can get if I eat all of these Yohan Grass?'
If he consumed all four, it would more than solve his chronic mana deficiency.
He might even have enough to form a circle.
Anticipation made Andy's body tingle.
"I can't wait to eat them."
-Woof!
"...This is all thanks to you. Thank you, wolf."
Andy stroked the wolf's forehead with genuine gratitude. The wolf wagged its tail happily, as if pleased.
Gazing at it, the boy murmured.
"I can't keep calling you 'wolf' forever. I should give you a name."
Andy decided to name the wolf.
Their bond was no longer ordinary.
He had saved the wolf's life out of kindness, and in return, it had found the Yohan Grass he needed.
They helped each other and met often. They had grown close.
Though he had no peers his age to befriend, Andy knew enough to call this a friendship.
This wolf was his one and only friend. He couldn't just keep calling it "wolf."
The boy wanted to give it a proper name.
After a moment's thought, Andy spoke softly.
"Kurt. How about Kurt?"
-Woof!
"Alright. From today, your name is Kurt."
Andy named it Kurt.
It wasn't a name with deep meaning—just something that popped into his head.
Whether it understood or not, the wolf seemed delighted, wagging its tail and rubbing against him.
Andy thought to himself.
'I almost named you Woof-Woof... but that would've been too much, even for me.'
Like calling a puppy "Bowwow" because it barked that way, the idea had crossed his mind since it always woofed.
But Woof-Woof felt too half-hearted.
Kurt. That was the name Andy gave the white wolf.
He nodded and said to it.
"Kurt, can you watch over me today?"
-Woof!
"Thanks. Now I can safely consume the herbs."
From now on, Andy planned to eat the herbs under the wolf's protection.
This was the territory of the spirit beast, the white wolf. No villagers or timid wild animals dared approach.
Here, he could focus without interruption.
Andy roamed the wolf's forest in search of a suitable spot.
The place Andy found was a small clearing at the heart of the wolf's forest.
A flat patch surrounded by trees, with even ground perfect for sitting and sunlight filtering through, making it warmer than elsewhere.
"This'll do. Alright, Kurt, I'm counting on you."
-Woof!
At Andy's words, the wolf sat at one edge of the clearing. It would stand guard while he consumed the herbs, as requested.
Rustle.
Andy sat and pulled out a Yohan Grass. A rich mana scent wafted out.
He gazed at it briefly, then popped it into his mouth whole.
'Bitter.'
The astringent taste hit him—a flavor young Andy despised.
But he wasn't eating for taste. This was for mana.
Ignoring the bitterness, he chewed thoroughly and swallowed.
And then.
"..."
He closed his eyes and focused.
He unleashed his spiritual senses. His will expanded outward, beginning communion with the world.
Mana sensing.
The boy heightened his spiritual senses to their peak.
The connection formed in an instant. Soon, he perceived the world through his soul, not his body.
The boy, eyes closed in concentration.
He sensed the massive influx of mana entering his body.
'Yohan Grass mana.'
From the remnants sliding down his throat into his stomach, a flood of mana poured out.
Swish...
The mana, directionless, began dispersing aimlessly.
Like steam vanishing into the air, or ink diffusing in water.
The herb's mana was mixing with the surrounding air, diluting away.
If he let it be, it would escape his body entirely.
Andy wouldn't allow that.
'First, stop it from scattering.'
He attuned his senses.
Narrowing his will's scope while intensifying its strength to the maximum.
Similar to mana circulation.
Absorbing ambient mana or herb mana—it all ended with storing it in his heart.
The difference? Ambient mana was sparse and weak; herb mana was dense and potent.
Andy concentrated.
He lost track of time, cleared his mind. In the sensation of existing alone in the world, he achieved utmost focus.
His spiritual senses sharpened. His will gained power.
The boy's enhanced will manifested as dominance over the mana.
-Hummmm!
The Yohan Grass mana yielded to Andy's will, resonating with a hum. The resistant mana finally began obeying.
'Now.'
Andy guided the mana to his heart. Particles streamed in steadily.
Right after.
"Ah...!"
The boy felt an intense spiritual fulfillment.
His near-empty vessel filling up. His spiritual void being sated. It brought overwhelming euphoria.
Elated, Andy immersed himself in absorption. His soul began to glow brightly.
Blue mana currents swirled around him.
Andy slowly opened his eyes. The world came into focus through his half-lidded gaze.
The forest in late afternoon, past lunchtime. The air was crisp, the scent of woods fresh and clear.
After half a day, external sensations returned. He wiped cold sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand and stretched his stiff joints.
-Woof.
The wolf approached with a soft bark, as if asking if he was done.
Andy grinned and petted it.
"Yeah, it went perfectly. Thanks to you, Kurt."
Andy had successfully consumed the Yohan Grass.
He checked his body's state. The changes were easy to feel.
'My senses are so much sharper.'
The world he perceived felt vividly clearer than before.
The forest's scent was richer, his vision crisper.
The rough fabric against his skin. The cool air. All felt strikingly distinct.
But that wasn't all.
'My mind feels... sharper too.'
Like he'd chugged stimulants.
Thoughts clearer, cognition subtly faster. Like fog lifting from his mind.
His physical and mental senses had grown, thanks to the massive mana from the Yohan Grass.
This was only natural.
Mana was the power of the soul, influencing body and mind. The more you held, the more your senses sharpened.
Before, it had been imperceptible—his mana was too scant for subtle shifts.
Now, with a huge influx at once, the effects were dramatic.
Andy felt the changes plainly.
'Not just my mind—my body's senses too. Is this the power of mana?'
Knight cultivated mana for physical prowess; mages for mental might.
But mages gained some physical boost, knights some mental. It was a matter of focus.
Squeeze.
Andy clenched and released his fist. Stronger power coursed through it.
Still just a 12-year-old, his strength lagged an adult's—but for a child, it was impressive.
Andy smiled contentedly.
"Feels great."
The sensation of growth was always exhilarating.
Especially now, with his body, mind, and even soul bolstered by mana. How could he not be thrilled?
Andy looked up at the sky. Late afternoon—sunset wasn't far.
He needed to gather as many herbs as possible before dark and return to Dario. He couldn't keep him waiting again.
Andy hurried through the wolf's forest. Herbs were plentiful, so gathering was easy.
With enough, he descended the mountain path.
His body brimmed with energy, unlike before.
A week and two days had passed since Andy began helping herbalist Dario.
Today was the day before the merchants' caravan was due.
"I'm truly grateful, Andy. Thanks to you, we'll get through this winter without a hitch."
"No problem. I've learned so much about herbs from you, sir."
Dario expressed his thanks warmly. Andy smiled modestly.
The herbalist had gathered more than enough herbs safely.
All thanks to Andy.
His collections had exceeded expectations.
"The caravan comes tomorrow, so I want to buy you something. Tell me if there's anything you need. I'll see what I can do."
Dario said earnestly.
Thanks to Andy, they had surplus herbs. His home would be warm this winter.
Dario wanted to repay the boy. He wasn't so shameless as to just say thanks.
"It's fine..."
"It'll ease my mind. Even if it's pricey, don't hesitate—just say it."
Andy tried to decline, but Dario insisted on buying something.
Yet Andy wouldn't name anything.
Frustrated, Dario began suggesting items.
"Winter will be harsh, so how about warm wool clothes? Or sweets with sugar, since you're at that age for sugary treats."
Warm wool clothes. Sugar candies.
Both tempting.
Winter would be brutal. Wool would make it cozier.
Sugar sweets intrigued him— a luxury for nobles. How sweet would they be? He could only imagine.
But Andy shook his head.
'Neither is what I really need.'
Warm clothes?
Nice to have. But with mana strengthening his body, he was tougher against cold now. He'd endure.
Wool snagged easily. Trekking mountains, it'd wear out fast.
Sugar sweets?
Not worth considering. Andy wasn't a sugar-obsessed kid. Mature beyond his years, he had no craving for sweets.
'What I need...'
Andy pondered slowly.
There was one thing he wanted. But could Dario get it?
Cautiously, he spoke.
"If you insist... could you get me a book?"
"A book?"
"Yes. One to learn reading from."
Andy wanted to learn letters. Not the mage tongue of runes in magic books, but ordinary script.